LEETONIA Village readies projects

New waterlines, sidewalks and fire hydrants are among the improvements planned. By NANCY TULLIS VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU LEETONIA -- It's springtime in Leetonia, the time when village officials' thoughts turn to summer construction projects. Village Administrator Gary Phillips said it may seem to some residents that the dust has barely settled from last year's projects. Residents sidestepped through the village during much of last year, with work going on in nearly every corner. New waterlines and sewer lines were installed in several areas of town, including Main Street, and sidewalk was replaced on Washington and Walnut streets. Some streets were closed for that work at the same time other streets were closed for railroad crossing repairs. Crews also finished extension of water, sewer and electric service to the Columbiana County Port Authority's industrial park on the southwest side of town. "The residents have certainly put up with a lot -- and all in good-natured fashion," Phillips said. "Now we're getting ready to start again." Maintenance building: Phillips said the village will start construction in about two weeks on a maintenance building at the water plant on St. Peter Street. Phillips said some money from the capital improvement fund has been set aside for several years to pay for the new building. He water, sewer and street department personnel will store equipment and supplies in the new building. Milla Construction Systems Inc. of Minerva has the $48,360 contract to construct the building, and an additional $4,250 contract for the concrete floor. Phillips said Milla Construction was the lowest of five bids for the project. Residents and visitors won't notice much in the way of detours or delays with the maintenance building construction on the south end of town, but other work will have a greater impact, Phillips said. He said the village is preparing to bid several other projects, with construction likely to begin by June. Some of the work may occur simultaneously, he said. Projects include: UA sidewalk on Pine Street from Washington and Vine streets to Main Street. UA 12-inch waterline on Washington Street from Main Street to St. Peter Street. UReplace fire hydrants and install additional hydrants and new waterline valves at various locations on the north side. UPaving and other street repairs, with special attention to alleys throughout the village. Installing additional valves while the hydrant replacement is in progress will improve water service, Phillips said. With additional valves in place, street crews will have more places to turn off water, so fewer residents will be without service during waterline maintenance or repairs, he said. Phillips said traffic will be maintained as much as possible. If some work requires streets to be closed, village officials will ensure residents on the affected streets have access to their homes, he said.

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